Foster Care Liaison TWA

• Promotes and supports policies and procedures related to youth in foster care that align with federal and state laws, regulations, and educational stability requirements 

• Establishes and maintains division-wide processes for tracking, monitoring, and reporting enrollment, attendance, transportation, and academic data pertaining to students in foster care

• Facilitates timely school enrollment, withdrawal, records requests, and records transfers by collaborating with sending and receiving schools, social services agencies, caregivers, and community partners to minimize educational disruptions

• Identifies, reviews, and evaluates current enrollment practices to ensure barriers to school access and participation for foster youth are reduced or eliminated

• Schedules, coordinates, and conducts Best Interest Determination (BID) meetings and educational planning conferences to support school placement decisions and educational continuity for students in foster care

• Coordinates transportation services in collaboration with the Student Transportation Department and child welfare agencies to support students remaining in their school of origin when determined to be in the student’s best interest 

• Provides and assists with training, technical assistance, and ongoing guidance to school administrators, faculty, and staff regarding federal and state foster care regulations, educational rights, transportation requirements, and division enrollment procedures for students in foster care and applicable legal mandates

• Assists with data collection and reporting processes using standard database software applications to monitor student outcomes and program compliance

• Establishes and maintains cooperative working relationships with social services agencies, state program staff, and community stakeholders to support student needs and continuity of education 

• May perform other duties, as assigned

This position has no budgetary responsibility.

May provide expertise and recommendations for policies related to Fostering Connections

May prepare related reports as requested

Regularly utilizes basic office equipment such as computers, phone, and scanner

This position has regular contact with all levels both within and outside of the division. Contacts include social workers, registrars, school administrators, transportation personnel, regional and local Department of Social Services (DSS) staff and Foster Care Liaisons, and the State Coordinator for Project Hope - Virginia.

This position does not supervise or provide work direction to other positions.

Substantial independent decision making is required with continuous communication with, and appropriate clearance from, the Coordinator of Social Work Services.

Must have the ability to sit and stand for extended periods of time; to exhibit manual dexterity to dial a telephone and enter data into a computer terminal; to see and read a computer screen and printed material with or without vision aids; to hear and understand speech at normal indoor levels, outdoors, and on the telephone; and to speak in audible tones so that others may understand clearly. Must have the physical agility to drive, bend, stoop, sit on the floor, climb stairs, walk and reach overhead. May be occasionally required to use crisis prevention or intervention techniques and lift and carry instructional materials under 25 pounds.

The employee regularly works in an office environment. The noise level in the work environment is typically quiet to moderate.

• Considerable knowledge of the public education system, special education, the Department of Social Services, and agencies involved in serving youth in foster care 

• Demonstrated understanding of current laws and legislations governing educational services for youth in foster care

• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing 

An earned Master’s Degree in Social Work, Counseling or a related field with social work or counseling experience. Three to five years of experience working with youth and families in educational, governmental, or community-based programs, and successful experience working in or with PreK–12 schools

Applicants considered for employment must successfully complete the following background investigations/tests:

• Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Criminal History Investigation

• State Police Criminal History Investigation

• Child Protective Services (CPS) Investigation

• Tuberculosis Screening/Test